Ribble Valley accountant elected as new chair of Lancashire and Cumbria network

United Kingdom 17 Sep 2013

I know myself and colleagues on the network want to continue to organise great business events and do everything we can to give the business men and women of the North West an opportunity to attend engaging and interesting events with fellow professionals from across the business spectrum

James Dawson from Lancashire has been elected as the new chair of ACCA’s (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) Lancashire and Cumbria members’ network. James is co-owner of the rapidly expanding, Whalley-based, DSM Chartered Accountants – the firm has a portfolio of clients across many industries including retail, medical and small owner managed businesses.

James Dawson said: 'I’m delighted to have been elected as chair of the network. First I want to thank Ann Lucas as chair of the network over the past few years. She has worked tremendously hard alongside colleagues on the Lancashire and Cumbria members’ network to raise the profile of the network and put together a programme of events relevant to both ACCA members and the wider business community.'

'I know myself and colleagues on the network want to continue to organise great business events and do everything we can to give the businessmen and women of the North West an opportunity to attend engaging and interesting events with fellow professionals from across the business spectrum.'

James came to accountancy in his mid-twenties after starting a career in sales with The Guardian Media Group in Manchester. He decided to take an evening course and completed an AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) qualification. Following this, with support from an Accrington-based practice, he started his ACCA Qualification in 2006 and qualified as a member in 2010.

At DSM Chartered Accountants James is responsible for managing his own portfolio of clients and mentoring two apprentices. Outside of work he is married with two young children.

Sarah Hathaway, head of ACCA UK said: 'The members’ networks are vital to ACCA, they are our direct link to our 69,000 UK members. They give us feedback on what they want from their professional body, they organise events that help raise ACCA’s profile among the business community and forge links with employers that help our members and students. The network chair is vital in guiding them, and being the focal point of their work, I have no doubt that James will do a great job as chair of the Lancashire and Cumbria network.'